Words: Rachel Hannon
Photo: Jade Foley
Happy Black History Month! Here in Ireland, we celebrate the lives and culture of the African Diaspora annually, along with the UK. The only other countries that celebrate this month every year are the US and Canada, but Black History Month is for everyone. Understanding the impact of Black heritage and culture on these shores is essential to understanding the Ireland we live in today. To celebrate the wealth of Black Irish talent, here are some creators you need to follow
Creative director, spoken word artist, and overall fashionista, Amanda Adé has been gaining a following in recent years. Some of her content includes Black History lessons, such as giving us the background of braiding, speaking on The Black and Irish Podcast, or collaborating with other Black Irish creators. Her passion for up-and-coming artists in Dublin and beyond is also expressed through her regular gig footage.
Model and makeup maestro Jade Foley has been consistently gaining virality for her makeup, fashion, and hair trends. Between her Halloween and bridal looks, curly hair routine, wig installations, vintage hauls, and even dance routines, the semi-finalist for RTÉ’s Glow Up Ireland has made a name for herself. Additionally, she speaks on BHM and mental health while creating beautiful makeup looks.
@itsjadefoley
Since the release of his viral track Kehlani, the Belfast native has amassed over 600k followers and 12.5M likes on TikTok. The popularity of his videos led to deals with Warner Records UK and 300 Entertainment, and he even got to sing Kehlani with Kehlani herself. If exclusive teaser snippets of tracks that make the Spotify US Top 50 Viral charts don’t entice you to follow him, I don’t know what will.
@jordanadetunji
EFÉ’s unique aesthetic alone is reason enough to follow her. On top of that, she is an incredible musician, content creator, and video director. Her promotion of music, along with her bedroom pop/indie rock sound, and her personal content, are quirky, varied, and provide a glimpse into the immense talent emerging from the Irish music scene.
Dubliner Bill Oshafi was once the mastermind behind Ryanair’s famous TikTok content. His comedic videos are hugely popular, ranging from speaking about BHM to romanticising his Dublin bus rides. Even though his TikTok bio says he’s in his “flop era,” we think he’s just getting started.
@thatguybillosh
If she’s not posting videos of her singing with Coldplay, she’s sharing cute monkey videos, asking ominous questions, or posting stunning aesthetic visuals. As one of the leading artists in Ireland’s new wave of R&B, her social media content shows she could be a comedian too!
Donegal woman and African-American jazz singer Mirenda Rosenberg has over half a million followers on TikTok. Besides showcasing her musical talents, she posts about sustainable living, cooking, gardening, and even rendering tallow.
@mirendarosenberg
If you’re into great music, follow F3miii. He’s a talented producer who shares step-by-step guides on how he creates his music. From live streams of music production to gig content and beautifully directed music videos, he’s definitely a Black Irish artist on the rise.
@f3miiiii
Aghogho is proof that you don’t need perfect Leaving Cert results to study medicine. Her journey, after six attempts to get into medicine both in Ireland and the UK, shows her perseverance. She’s now in her third year at UCD. Her TikTok content showcases productivity, public speaking skills, and the ability to inspire and educate.
Boni Odoemene provides some of the best Black Irish history lessons on TikTok. His content dispels Irish misconceptions, vlogs his trips to Nigeria, and shares insights into the Black Irish experience.
@bonbonod14